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Daphne's Michael Pierce proves he belongs in NFL

Updated on September 11, 2016 at 8:21 AMPosted on September 11, 2016 at 7:00 AM

michael pierce.jpg

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone during an NFL preseason game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans on Sept. 1, 2016.
(AP Photo)

Rookie defensive tackle Michael Pierce put an exclamation mark on his efforts to earn a spot on the Baltimore Ravens' regular-season roster in the final preseason game on Sept. 10.

With the New Orleans Saints at their 10-yard line, Pierce pushed through to sack quarterback Luke McCown, caused him to fumble and recovered the loose football in the end zone for a touchdown to break a 6-6 tie late in the first half.

After the game, Pierce told reporters: "There's nothing else I can do, and I hope I've proved to the coaching staff that I deserve a spot on the team."

Less than 48 hours later, he found out he had. When the Ravens reduced their 75-player roster to the regular-season limit of 53, Pierce was still on the team.

Before that news came down, though, Pierce knew what he was up against.

Pierce earned All-State honors as a linebacker for Daphne's undefeated AHSAA Class 6A championship team in 2010 and was the MVP of the Trojans' 7-6 victory over Hoover in the state-title game. He was an All-Southern Conference selection for Samford in 2015.

But he wasn't drafted.

"Especially for undrafted guys, you know what's at stake when you walk through the door," Pierce said before the regular-season roster was released. "You know what you're up against. That's the coaches' decision, of course. I'm happy with what I did throughout the preseason. That's for the coaches to decide. Whatever it is, I'm going to roll with it."

The coaches decided Pierce should be on the team.

"He's played well throughout,' Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said of Pierce. "He's had a good camp. He has played well when he has been in there in games."

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